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Cancer is contagious: Why are the strongest Tasmanian devils the most susceptible?
Tasmanian devils, a marsupial native to the Australian island of Tasmania, are facing a serious infectious disease - devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). This aggressive, non-viral cancer has caused a dramatic decline in the Tasmanian devil population, with estimates suggesting the species has lost more than 80 percent of its population since the disease emerged, and as much as 90 percent in some areas. %. The disease is mainly transmitted through bites. Its pathological characteristics are soft lumps and ulcers around the mouth, and it can invade surrounding organs.
DFTD is most commonly spread through bites, when canine teeth come into direct contact with cancer cells, making it most likely to spread to other individuals.
The study shows that the healthiest adult Tasmanian devils appear to be at high risk of contracting the disease. The reason may be related to the strong social interaction between individuals, which makes it easier for cancer cells to spread. In addition, eating infected corpses or sharing food may also lead to the spread of germs, which undoubtedly poses a great threat to the survival of the Tasmanian devil population.
DFTD has experienced rapid spread since it first appeared in 1986, and two main strains are currently known: DFT1 and DFT2. DFT1 is the predominant and oldest strain and has infected the majority of Tasmanian devil populations since it was first described in 1996. DFT2 emerged in 2011 and has been prevalent in a narrow range in southern Tasmania to date. This situation has scientists extremely worried because the disease is almost completely fatal and poses a direct threat to the devil's survival.
In the 20 years since DFTD was first discovered, Tasmanian devil populations have declined by 80 per cent, and more than 90 per cent in some areas.
Faced with such severe survival challenges, the Tasmanian government and many Australian universities, zoos and other institutions have actively responded. A categorical kill policy was applied, but with little success, and the main preventive measure that followed was the transfer of hundreds of devils to veterinary conservation centers for captivity with the hope that they could be released back into the wild in the future. To date, no effective treatment has been developed, and although vaccine research shows some promise, no qualified candidate has yet been found. A 2017 vaccine trial showed that only one in five devils were protected against DFTD.
Clinically, DFTD is usually associated with multiple primary tumors and is characterized by the proliferation of soft tissue masses around the mouth, leading to ulcers. The local invasiveness of the tumor caused destruction of the jawbone, which interfered with eating. Demons usually die within six months of onset, primarily due to organ failure, secondary infection, or metabolic malnutrition.
To date, DFTD is almost 100% fatal, which has prompted scientists to make unremitting efforts to monitor and study the disease.
In addition to monitoring health conditions, researchers are also focusing on long-term surveillance and regression surveys to assess the long-term impact of the disease on the Tasmanian devil population. Past research data has shown that the short-term effects of the disease are very serious and have led to a sharp decline in local devil populations. Additionally, due to the presence of DFTD, the reproductive behavior of demons has also changed. Female demons have begun to reproduce earlier than before, but their lifespans have been shortened, and most only live to participate in one reproductive cycle.
In the ecological environment, Tasmanian devils are important predators. The reduction of Tasmanian devils also provides opportunities for the reproduction of other predators such as red foxes, which undoubtedly poses a threat to the local ecology. Potential threat.
Therefore, the work of protecting and restoring the Tasmanian devil is no longer just a matter of survival for this species, but an overall challenge for the health of the ecosystem. With new research and conservation efforts, can Tasmanian devils finally see the light of hope and move on from this cancer-ridden world?
